About Us

The Retired Firefighters of Washington is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 retirement and pension systems and LEOFF 1 medical benefits. We are a non-profit organization that has been protecting firefighter pension and medical benefit interests since 1932 (and in 2023 we welcomed law enforcement members as well), after which there were many local pension systems around the State of Washington administered by local pension boards. These older pension systems are often referred to as "Prior Act" pension systems because in 1970 the Legislature created LEOFF, a new statewide retirement system essentially replacing these "prior act" local pension systems.  The newly created retirement system was called the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters retirement system (LEOFF).

In 1977 a new version of the LEOFF retirement system was created by the Legislature which is referred to as LEOFF 2.  The original LEOFF retirement system covered firefighters and law enforcement personnel employed between 1970 and 1977, and is now referred to as LEOFF 1.  Since its inception in 1932 the RFFOW has endeavored to protect the rights and pension benefit interests of all three of these retirement groups.

LEOFF 1 pensions have two principal elements, defined benefit pensions and LEOFF 1 medical benefits. LEOFF 2 does not have medical benefits but does have a generous retirement system.  The RFFOW spends a great deal of time working with elected officials to protect the pension fund, and to enhance LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 pensions and the LEOFF 1 medical benefits whenever possible.  Thus, it not only seeks to protect LEOFF 1 pensions, but it also endeavors to protect the equally important medical benefit features of the LEOFF 1 retirement system.

The RFFOW is the only politically active organization that can say it has been in the business of protecting and enhancing firefighter pensions (and now law enforcement personnel) for over ninety years.  Countless hours are spent in Olympia, on behalf of retired firefighters, to maintain, secure, and improve their pensions and medical benefits.

In addition, our President (Michael Duchemin), is a retired attorney that has litigated LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 issues for many years, and provides individualized free personal service to our members.

So, if you are looking to join or support a LEOFF 1/LEOFF 2 retiree organization, the RFFOW is the premier LEOFF representative in this area with the longest tradition in Washington State history of protecting and enhancing LEOFF pensions and we would welcome your participation.  To see how to join, just click here: Join RFFOW.